Flying tips for your Disney World trip – PREP039

Our family flies a lot and we've picked up a lot of tips over the years. Today, I have info on booking your flights, things to pack at home before you head to the airport, how things work at the airport, in-flight tips and some info on navigating the Orlando International Airport.

I also have a quick tip to help make it easier for you to find things as you travel.

Consider packing medicine in your carry-on bag such as Sudafed and children's Dramamine

Can pack food and drinks in checked bags - use Ziplocs in case there's a leak

Pack ear buds or headphones and external battery charger

At the airport

Allow plenty of time

If checking bags, go to airline desk to check them (will need ID and boarding pass)

If finished checking bags or only have carry ons, proceed to the security checkpoint with boarding passes and ID

Go through security - take shoes off, place laptops in their own bin, take off all jewelry and take quart-sized bag of liquids out and proceed through security (explain to kids how this will work)

Gather belongings, head to a nearby bench to reassemble items, can put ID away

Proceed to gate

You can buy drinks, snacks and even food from restaurants to take on the plane

Most flights start boarding about 30 minutes before departure. Early boarding is available for families; if you need the extra time, board early. Otherwise, I recommend waiting to board to allow kids to move around as much as possible

In flight

Your personal bags will go under the seat in front of you, carry ons go in overhead compartments usually

Trays stay up on take off and landing, electronics can now be used during the whole flight in airplane mode

Take off and landing are when ears will hurt so have little ones suck on a bottle, chew gum, etc.

Many flights now have wifi but often don't allow streaming of things like Netflix or Hulu because it takes too much bandwidth

Temps often get cold in flight so having a jacket or sweater for everyone to wear will come in handy

Keep your seat belt on at all times and only remove it when the seat belt sign is turned off and you need to get up

Drinks and snacks are usually served in flight at no extra cost and international flights often include alcohol

Surprises are hard to keep on Orlando flights

After landing

Plane will pull up to a gate and everybody will get their carry on bags and exit toward the baggage claim area

Flying into Orlando: will fly into a satellite, take the tram to the main terminal. if you're using Magical Express and allowing them to get your bags, go directly to Magical Express on level B1 and use your MagicBand to check in

If getting your own bags, go to baggage claim and then proceed to Magical Express on level B1 or to your form of transportation (rental car, private car, etc.)

Flying home

On departure day, take checked bags to airline check-in desk at your Disney resort (this works for anybody flying a participating airline - not just those using magical express)

Shannon,
Any thoughts on why all of the airlines don’t offer airline check-in at the resorts?
Never thought to take a picture of our parking spot! Last time we texted our spot number to each other. A picture would probably be better!

We are flying into Clearwater/St. Petersburg International Airport about three days before were are going to Disney. We will be staying with my in-laws in the Sarasota area for a few days and then renting a car and driving to Orlando from there. Basically, we are leaving on a Friday and should be in WDW by that Sunday.

In the before you leave section you say that you can bring food and drinks in your carryon, that was not the case with me. I had an unopened 20oz bottle of Gatorade and they took it as well as an unused/unopened gel deodorant that was over the 3oz limit.

I am always interested to know what frequent travelers/flyers use for their rolling carry on as well as the backpack/tote they stash under the seat. What do you use? What have you tried and not liked? I’d like to update some/all our luggage before our next trip…(at least mine!). Ideally I’d like something my 10 year old can handle herself so we can skip checking a bag & fly carryon only. Thanks for everything!

Hi, Sara. I can’t answer your question about a carry-on bag because we always check our bags (we are over-packers for sure!) But, as far as rolling backpacks for under the seats in front of us, we just purchased J World New York Sundance (laptop sized) bags from eBags. They are on the bigger/heavier side for backpacks but I was going for durability and these were very well reviewed. The girls have been using them around the house to get used to them. They are big enough for activities for the plane plus a change of clothes/shoes and a sweater or jacket. (We arrive early in the morning and want to be able to easily change for the parks if we can’t get right into our room.) Hope this helps some.

Sara D., maybe you will find this helpful…..
I LOVE my zippered tote from Anne McAlpin that holds my purse, iPad, chargers, snacks, cosmetics, jewelry, and essentials for long plane trips. It will even hold a change of clothes (packed in a gallon size zip lock bag with the air squeezed out) in case I check my suitcase. It has a sleeve that slides over the extended suitcase handle. I will slide the tote over the suitcase handle and wear a crossbody purse. That way I will have one hand free~~a plus when carrying food/drink or traveling with children. Rick Steves also has a zippered tote with the sleeve that is more masculine than the McAlpin one.
Although I no longer use it, I have a rolling tote by Travelpro that will fit under the seat. It holds a lot but I have used it only a few times because I think it’s too cumbersome to roll both it and a suitcase, especially running thru an airport to catch a connection.
We take a carry on and use a 21″ Eagle Creek suitcase each. That size we can either check or carry it on. (Usually carry it on.) It fits in the overhead bin and only weighs about 7#. We always use a 21″, whether for 2 weeks in Europe or a weekend in NYC. I find Rick Steves’ packing cubes and hanging toiletry kit a must!! Small cubes for shirts, undergarments, bathing suit and the larger size for pants/skirts. They fit in the Eagle Creek easily. Remove from suitcase and place directly in dresser drawers upon arrival. I use the spaces in the suitcase bottom around the handle rails for shoes, hair dryer, small folding pop-up hamper, umbrella, rain jacket (in a qt. ziplock freezer bag) and place 4 packing cubes on top. The toiletry kit fits on top also. The large cube fits in the outer front pocket of the Eagle Creek. There is also a pocket with easy access for the 3-1-1 bag. Use the interior compression straps to secure the cubes from shifting and to squeeze them down. Don’t overpack!! Remember you can wash tops, socks, and underwear in your hotel sink if necessary.
Sara, since you are thinking about updating your luggage, I tried to give you as many brand names as I could for you to reference. I have had my tote and packing cubes for over 5 years with no issues whatsoever. Eagle Creek is pricey but they have a ‘no matter what’ guarantee.
Happy Travels and always pack a smile!

This podcast was great! As this will be our first trip I was so thankful you described, in detail, getting to Magical Express. I would LOVE a podcast or post on how to “check-in” to Disney. Where to get refillable mugs, suggestions for getting oriented, resources at the hotels. I know you can do check in “in person” or online before hand, request certain rooms etc., but I don’t know how or when to do that. BTW your fb updates were fantastic during your trip. The 2 sided MK video was AMAZING. so exciting! Keep the podcasts coming!

We returned from WDW 3 weeks ago using the Magic Bands. They arrived 10 days before our departure date. Disney even included a non functioning one for the 24 month old! We did EVERYTHING with them. Our dining plan was on them and we were able to charge table service dining tips to the band as well as any purchases we made at any of the parks or resorts. The band was our “wallet”, room key, Fast Pass, Memory Maker download….it was so inclusive that it no purse or wallet was needed. The children wore theirs swimming with no problem.
The refillable mugs are available in the resort food court. There are several displays scattered throughout so if you don’t see the color lid you want, check another station. The lid color choices: red, blue, yellow, and lavender. The price is included in a meal plan. Otherwise you can purchase outright or charge it to the Magic Band. The mugs can be filled in any of the resorts. Beverage selections are soft drinks, “energy” water, filtered water, coffee, tea, and hot chocolate.
If you are using My Disney Experience, it will let you know when you can check in on line. I checked in on line, but found it more useful to speak with a Cast Member in reservations once we arrived. There you will get your room assignments, maps, and info packet. At our resort (Pop Century) there was a separate, shorter line for people who had done online check-in.

Hi, Shannon. I’m a fairly new fan of your site. You do a great job of covering all of the practical things so thank you. We are frequent travellers as well but your tip for taking pics of parkings spots, luggage and kids was a great one! Never thought of doing that but so much easier than trying to describe a lost item (or child!) or remember what you’re rental car looks like! One more tip I’d add is to purchase a good quality rolling backpack for each of your kids. Even our 4 year old totes her own through airports and they fit nicely under the seat in front of them. Thanks, again!